Sponge iron storage hopper having a sensor and an inert gas supply

ABSTRACT

Sponge iron pellets resulting from gaseous direct reduction of iron ore are stored in bins which include heat monitoring devices which activate at a predetermined temperature, an inert gas supply that distributes cooling fluid into the bins to provide for cooling of the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to storage bins for storing sponge ironafter it has been manufactured by a direct reduction process. Morespecifically it relates to a sponge iron storage container which in theevent of certain predetermined conditions provides for cooling of thematerial contained therein.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,571 issued Sept. 13, 1977 discloses an automaticfire extinguishing system which is activated by a fire detector. An airconditioning system is used to distribute foam throughout the building.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,193 patented May 9, 1978 discloses a system whereexplosion is prevented in the hold of a ship containing a compound whichis incompatible with water. Inert gas would form a blanket preventingsuch explosion.

The present invention is a patentable improvement over the prior art inthat a unique and specific construction is provided to control thetemperature of sponge iron pellets by the introduction of a cooling gas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A storage bin for sponge iron as it leaves a reduction reactor includesa plurality of vertically extending pipes suspended within the bin. Eachpipe is provided with a vertical groove containing a sensor means in theform of a capillary tube suitably connected to a temperature responsivemeans. The tube is protected by means of a metal shield extending thelength of the groove.

The lower end of the vertical pipes are supported on transverselyextending inert gas pipes which project outwardly from the bins and areconnected to electrically controlled valves leading to a source of inertgas. In the event that the pellets of sponge iron overheat thetemperature responsive means, a signal from the capillary tube actuatesthe valves permitting inert gas to enter into the bin for cooling theiron pellets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a bin including temperature sensors;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bin taken along line 2--2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bin taken along line 3--3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sensor pipe taken along line 4--4of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 6 is a view along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a sensor means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a storage bin 10 which is adapted to storeparticulate matter such as sponge iron pellets. A plurality of such binsmay be provided near a direct reduction vessel. As best shown in FIG. 2the bins 10 are mounted above ground level on supports 11. The bins 10have vertically extending walls 12 and 13, a roof 14, and outlet gates15 for unloading the stored material. The outlet gates 15 are connectedto sloped wall hopper portions 16 adapted to direct the material towardopenings 17 located proximate the lower part of the outlet gates 15.

The roof 14 includes an opening 18 through which the particulatematerial is poured into the bin 10. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, aroof 14 also includes openings 19 through which a sensor structure 20extends. The sensor structure 20 includes a vertically extending pipe 21having a vertical groove or slot portion 22 extending the length of thepipe 21. Temperature sensing means 23 such as a capillary tube 24 islocated in each slot 22. A shield 25 covers the sensing means 23 toprotect it from the stored sponge iron material within the bin 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a sensor structure mounting meansinclude a pair of angle brackets 26 connected to the roof 14 on eachside of each opening 19. A shaft 27 extends through the sensor pipe 21.The angle brackets 26 include recesses or slots 26' which cradle a shaft27. Thus the sensor pipe 21 is pivotally mounted from the roof on theangle brackets 26. The openings 19 are larger than the diameter of thepipe thus allowing limited lateral movement of the pipe. This allows thepipe to move slightly during loading and unloading of the storedmaterial.

As is best shown in FIG. 1, there are four sensor pipes for each bin 10and each bin has two outlet gates 15. The temperature sensor structure20 is capable of detecting increases in temperature at any point alongthe length of the pipe. This is especially important in the storage ofsponge iron since it is dumped into the bin at a temperature of 100° F.or more. Spontaneous combustion can occur at any point and thetemperature rise caused by such combustion must be detected. If it isnot detected the sponge iron can reach the melting point and fusetogether.

Inert gas supply means are utilized to supply inert gas such as N₂ tothe bin in the event that the material in the bin starts to heat up andgo above the predetermined temperature. The inert gas supply meansincludes gas discharge pipes 28 mounted on support brackets 29 carriedby a central beam 30 dividing the two outlet gates 15. Gas supplyconduits 31 extend downwardly from the gas discharge pipes 28. Anelectrically controlled valve 33 is provided for each conduit 31 andcontrols the flow of gas into the bin. Gas supply conduits 34 areoperably connected to valves 33 and pipes 35 are in communication with asource of inert gas not shown. The gas discharge pipes 28 extend throughthe walls 13 of the bin and terminate at the central beam or wall 30, asbest shown in FIG. 2. The brackets 29 support the free ends of theconduits 31.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sensor pipes 21 are suspended fromthe roof 14 and at their lower ends are provided with closure caps 36.The gas supply conduits 34 are also supported by the pipes 21 by meansof U-shaped hanger bolts 37, connector plates 38 and nuts 39 whichrigidly connect the parts together. One leg of the U-bolt 37 issupported on the closer cap 36. An angle iron shield or hood 39' issuitably rigidly connected to the top of each pipe 28 to protect thesame and to deflect stored material sideways and prevent the same frompacking around the outlets.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the inert gas supply pipe 28 has a plurality ofgas outlet holes 32 along the length of the pipe. The holes 32 aredownwardly directed and located below the center line of the pipe.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 a suitable electric connector 39" isenclosed within a box 40 mounted on the roof 14. The connector 39"connects the capillary tube 24 to a suitable electrical control means(not shown) in conventional fashion which in turn operates the valves 33to provide inert cooling gas to the bins when excessive temperaturesoccur within the bins. Capillary type electrical control devices areconventional in the art as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,156,826, May 2,1939 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,078, Dec. 18, 1973. Thus during storagewhen the products within the bin become too hot and damage could occurthe capillary sensor means provides for inert gas cooling until theproper temperature is obtained.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the conduits 28 are supported on walls 13 andsupports 29. Since the sensor pipes 21 are pivotally supported at theirupper ends, and the connection furnished by the U-bolt at the lower endpermits a limited amount of sideway movement, it accommodates thestresses encountered during loading and unloading of the sponge ironpellets.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a storage bin having upright walls, a roof andlower discharge outlets, the improvement of temperature sensor andcooling means comprising;a sensor support means within said bin, asensor means connected to said sensor support means, said sensor meansextending substantially the vertical extent of said bin, and inert gassupply means within said bin, said inert gas supply means being operablyconnected to said sensor means and being adapted to supply inert gas tosaid bin upon a predetermined rise in temperature within said bin. 2.The invention in accordance with claim 1, said sensor support meansincluding an elongated member pivotally mounted on said roof for limitedswinging movement and,said sensor means comprising a capillarytemperature sensing tube carried on said elongated member and beingsubstantially coextensive lengthwise therewith.
 3. The invention inaccordance with claim 2, said elongated member comprising a pipe havingan elongated vertically extending recess and said capillary tube beingcontained within said recess.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim2, said elongated member including protective shielding means for saidtube.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 2, said elongated memberincluding an elongated groove,said tube being enclosed within saidgroove.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 5, said gas supplymeans including a horizontal pipe extending within said bin and beingconnected to a source of inert gas,means connecting said pipe to a lowerportion of said elongated member, and means connecting said pipe to saidbin structure, said elongated member having limited horizontal swingingmovement relative to said horizontal pipe.
 7. The invention inaccordance with claim 6, including a shielding member supported on saidhorizontal pipe.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 1,said gassupply means including conduit means supported on the lower portion ofsaid sensor means.
 9. The invention in accordance with claim 8, saidinert gas supply means comprising a substantially horizontal pipeoperably connected to an inert gas supply.
 10. The invention inaccordance with claim 9, including valve means on said inert gas supplymeans responsive to said sensor means for supplying gas to said binduring a predetermined temperature within said bin.